Panto baby Harry now six
YOUNGSTER WELCOMED 0N STAGE AT THIS YEAR’S FESTIVE SHOW
MOST six-year-olds love a panto.
But few are as big a fan as little Harry Willis, whose life began at the Theatre Royal’s Christmas show.
Harry’s mum Anna, 41, says she was so tickled by one joke at the 2012 Newcastle production of Aladdin that she laughed herself into an early labour, giving birth to Harry just hours after leaving the show.
Anna recalled: “There was a scene where Danny [Adams, one of the pantomime’s recurring stars] had blown himself up in this big red balloon. It was absolutely hilarious, and I literally felt it start my labour.
“It was two weeks early, but I was just laughing so much.”
Nurse practitioner Anna, already a mum to Harry’s older sister Molly, knew she had a little time before she needed to get to hospital – so she thought she should stay to enjoy the rest of the performance.
“I was in some pain, but I thought I’d be ok for a while,” Anna said.
“Afterwards, we went back home to put Molly to bed and I started thinking, ok, my contractions are quite close together.
“I called my mum and dad, and I was waiting for them to arrive from Gosforth - I was pacing up and down outside waiting for them thinking, I’m going to give birth in the street.
“They arrived and we got in the car and drove straight to the hospital: Harry was born 10 minutes after we arrived.”
Ever since that memorable show, the Theatre Royal pantomime has been a beloved annual tradition for the Willis family, from Morpeth.
Anna said: “We always go on the last Saturday before Christmas which, of course, always falls around Harry’s birthday.
“It’s really lovely, and we always emphasise the fact that it’s all about his birthday, so it doesn’t get lost in the Christmas celebrations.
“We all absolutely love the pantomime: all year round, me and the kids will be quoting from it.
“It’s just a really lovely family occasion, it’s amazing to have that tradition, something we do every year.”
This year, the family enjoyed an extra-special treat ahead of Harry’s sixth birthday, as he, Anna, and Molly, 10, were invited on to the stage to meet the stars of the show, with Anna coming face-to-face with Danny Adams, the very man who had made her laugh so much that little Harry arrived early.
“Harry was so excited,” Anna said. “While we were waiting one of the bears waved at him and he was bouncing up and down.
“When we walked through onto the stage and met Clive and Danny he started to feel a bit shy, I think it was quite overwhelming.
“But we had a really good time, and Molly loved it too. It was fantastic to meet them.”